Michigan State University Michigan State University

Department of Horticulture Michigan Garden Plant Tour

  • DGI Propagators
  • Four Star Greenhouse
  • Mast Young Plants
  • Pell Greenhouses, Inc
  • MSU Trial Garden
  • Raker-Roberta’s Young Plants
  • Walters Gardens
  • Home

MSU Trial Garden

The MSU Horticulture Gardens include 14 acres of beautiful landscapes highlighting annuals, perennials, and woody plants. The Amien Carter Annual Gardens house our annual trials.  This year we are evaluating over 300 varieties including annuals, perennials, and vegetables.

In addition to our trials, there are a multitude of other themed gardens including the award-winning 4-H Children's Garden, Judith DeLapa Perennial Garden, and C.E. Lewis Landscape Arboretum (which includes a Japanese garden, English Garden, a dwarf conifer collection, and more). 

Photo Gallery

Garden Hours

The Gardens are always open to the public. But the building may be locked to the public this summer.  Guided tours are also unavailable this summer, but feel free to come visit on your own at any time.  For our species in the trial and trialing results, visit our website at www.hrt.msu.edu/plant-trials.

Parking

Our Garden's parking lot is Lot #54 (view the MSU Interactive Map to see lot location next to the Plant and Soil Sciences building) and is a pay-by-plate lot (enforced M-F 6:00am to 10:00pm; free on weekends).   Visitors must pay immediately upon parking by walking to one of the pay stations, entering the license plate number of their vehicle, and then their payment. The pay stations accept credit cards or US coin, $1, or $5 bills.  The pay stations do not give change back, nor are refunds issued for time paid for, but not used. 

Highlights

The MSU Plant Trial Garden showcases a wide range of annuals, vegetables, herbs, and herbaceous perennials. We evaluate plants submitted by breeding companies, All America Selections, and Fleuroselect. We track plant performance, vigor, uniformity, ornamental value, disease tolerance, and response to climatic conditions. This unbiased information is summarized and made available to participating companies, industry professionals, and the general gardening public. For more information on the MSU Gardens, visit the MSU Trial Gardens website.  

In addition to the trial beds, about half of the annual garden beds are planted as displays for enjoyment by our many wedding ceremonies and receptions, and by the general public. This season, we will also feature two special plant collections including a display of drought-tolerant annuals, and a display of cut flower-type dahlias. Our garden also features several beds and containers designed by student interns. These students get to select their plant material, then design, install, and maintain their creation all season. 

Location and Contact Information

1066 Bogue St, East Lansing, MI 48824

Email: dmcgrath@msu.edu

Phone: 517-353-0329

Directions


Michigan Garden Plant Tour

  • DGI Propagators
  • Four Star Greenhouse
  • Mast Young Plants
  • Pell Greenhouses, Inc
  • MSU Trial Garden
  • Raker-Roberta’s Young Plants
  • Walters Gardens
  • follow us on twitter
  • follow us on facebook
  • follow us on instagram
Michigan State University
  • Call Us: 517-353-0350
  • Contact Information
  • Sitemap
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy
  • Disclaimer
  • Call MSU: (517) 355-1855
  • Visit: msu.edu
  • MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer.
  • Notice of Nondiscrimination
  • Spartans Will.
  • © Michigan State University

MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer, committed to achieving excellence through a diverse workforce and inclusive culture that encourages all people to reach their full potential.

Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status. Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Quentin Tyler, Director, MSU Extension, East Lansing, MI 48824. This information is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned.

The 4-H Name and Emblem have special protections from Congress, protected by code 18 USC 707.

We comply with the Federal Trade Commission 1998 Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).

Filter by content type
Michigan State University

Department of Horticulture Michigan Garden Plant Tour

  • Home
  • Michigan Garden Plant Tour

  • DGI Propagators
  • Four Star Greenhouse
  • Mast Young Plants
  • Pell Greenhouses, Inc
  • MSU Trial Garden
  • Raker-Roberta’s Young Plants
  • Walters Gardens
  • share this on facebookShare
  • share this on twitterTweet
  • save to PinterestSave
  • share this on linkedinShare
  • print this pagePrint
  • Email this pageEmail